It’s conceivable that the two sides avoided repeating the same thing this year given how last offseason’s negotiations between the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman went, especially the fact that the goaltender did not enjoy the process of going to arbitration. The starting goalie for the Bruins, who was 24 at the time, ended up signing a one-year contract worth $3.475 million after arbitration failed to produce a mutually acceptable agreement. The parties have now decided not to pursue arbitration in 2024 and to concentrate on reaching a long-term agreement.
Swayman, like the Bruins, felt bitter about the arbitration process after his ordeal. Both parties have agreed to keep talking until a settlement is reached, even though the deadline for filing for arbitration has now passed. For Swayman’s contract, the Bruins have $8.6 million in cap space to work with.
How About a Swayman Offer Sheet?
The drawback of both parties declining arbitration is that Swayman could sign an offer sheet with a different team as a restricted free agent (RFA). Anything more than their $8.6 million in space could make things more difficult for Boston. The teams that might sign Swayman to a contract worth more than that include the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Seattle Kraken, according to CapFriendly.
Still, there are a number of reasons why an offer sheet is less likely. After they sign their other restricted free agents, the Sabres and Red Wings will have a restricted amount of cap space. The Predators and Islanders, meanwhile, already have proven goalies. Offer sheets are generally uncommon.
The Bruins and Swayman are likely pleased that there will be no arbitration.
When a player and team are unable to come to terms on a new contract, arbitration is usually used to settle salary disputes. The Bruins and Swayman were too far apart to work out a deal peacefully the previous year. Avoiding arbitration this year indicates that the parties are getting closer to reaching an understanding.
In the end, Swayman and the Bruins should be pleased that arbitration was avoided. Now that both parties are concentrating on reaching a mutually beneficial extension, there seems to be hope for Swayman’s future in Boston.
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